1. Sitzprobe - Putting it Together: The other day I went to Williamstown, MA for a Sitzprobe.

Ok, you are probably thinking that it is a medical exam. But, it is a theatrical event that is key in the production of a new musical.

MASIE Productions is supporting the development of a new musical, Unknown Solider, which is being produced at the Williamstown Theater Festival. The Sitzprobe is the day when the orchestra musicians and the singer/actors come together for the first time. Each group has been rehearsing independently, but on the day of the Sitzprobe, they came together in a rehearsal hall and the fullness of the show started to come together.

As we do theatrical productions, I am continually reminded of the relationships between that world and the learning production world. Instructional design and delivery has much preparation, diagnosis and material polishing, but we often skip the key moments in the production process - where it all fits together.

As the Sitzprobe progressed, there were perhaps a hundred small or even medium changes to the music, pacing and dramatic delivery. Imagine if we were to apply the same rigor as we add content, context, slides, learner activity, assessment and engagement to a class or eLearning module.

A Wikipedia Definition: Sitzprobe is a German term used in opera and musical theatre to describe a seated rehearsal—the literal translation of Sitzprobe—where the singers sing with the orchestra, focusing attention on integrating the two groups. It is often the first rehearsal where the orchestra and singers rehearse together.

3. Badges for Learning Interest, Too: Badges are often discussed as indicators of skills, accomplishments or experience. We can also include “Learning Interests” as a possible badge. Imagine if you were learning a new language or working on a certification, such as Project Management. It would be cool to have a badge that would tell your colleagues about your learning interests and goals. I would guess that many would have some helpful perspectives or even ask you if you wanted to practice Spanish over lunch. Let’s expand our Badging Models.

1. Coloring Books for Adults & Learning: Adults are coloring in books - and it is a fascinating trend to observe and consider for our work in learning. Over the past few years, I have been observing the growth of Coloring for Grownups, Coloring Books for Adults and Meditative or Context Focused coloring tasks aimed at adults. A recent article in the New Yorker Magazine explored why adults are buying and using coloring books for themselves: http://www.newyorker.com/business/currency/why-adults-are-buying-coloring-books-for-themselves

Coloring books for adults are seen as having several benefits and applications:

* Relaxation: It can be very meditative and relaxing to color in a structured coloring book.* Disconnecting from Tech: For many, it is a rare time to pick up a pencil or crayon and put away the always-connected mobile device.* Reflective: The format of the coloring book can help someone reflect or consider the context of a diagram or situation (e.g. Same person, color one as a hipster and one as homeless).

We are quite interested in exploring Coloring for Adults & Learners, so it will be a fun experiment at Learning 2015.

We are building coloring diagrams into our Learning 2015 Notebook and each participant will receive a collection of coloring pens. Some of our diagrams will be related to a topic of the conference, such as “Personalization of Learning”, and others will be more meditative. We will even add Coloring Books into one of our Gamification Challenges. Check out the article on our planning at: http://www.learning2015.com/index.php/item/coloring.html

2. Steerable Tablets from Afar: On the other end of the “tech scale”, I’d like to share a cool new technology that we have been experimenting with at The MASIE Center.

It is called Kubi: a small, steerable holder for a tablet like an iPad or Android version that can be controlled from a browser anywhere in the world. The person that is remote can move the tablet in a 360 fashion, tilt it up or down, and even shake or nod with a tablet motion. It sits on a table and can support a two-way video chat.

We have experimented with the Kubi in our LAB, simulating attendance at a meeting or adding a remote person as an expertise source. There are also intriguing implications for Customer Service, Coaching or Health Care utilization. Check it out at: https://www.revolverobotics.com/

3. Last Weeks for 30 Under 30 Applications: We are nearing the deadline for our 30 Under 30 program for rising learning leaders. If you are (or know someone who is) under the age of 30 and would like to participate in a unique engagement and development program at Learning 2015, please visit: http://www.learning2015.com/index.php/item/30-under-30-launched.html

1. Reflection and Learning - A Short Video: In the age of faster, shorter and agile - what is the role of reflection and consideration? We want content instantly at our fingertips on a mobile phone, but when do we want to quietly reflect on or consider what we are learning?

2. Summer Reading List - Your Suggestions, Please! Talking about “Reflection and Learning”, it is interesting to see what is on people’s Summer Reading Lists. What are the books that you plan (or at least hope) to read this summer - on a vacation or a lazy day on the porch? I’d love to collect your lists and share a sample with our 50,000 learning colleagues globally.

Here are a few on my list to read (or even to re-read):

- “A Bone to Pick” by Mark Bittman - Food Editor for New York Times (and a high school buddy).- “Dune” By Frank Herbert - One of the classic Science Fiction books and a re-read every 5 years for me.- “Splendid Cities: Color Your Way to Calm” by Rossie Goodwin - Yes, a coloring book about cities and calmness.- “Triggers” by Marshall Goldsmith - I recently read this book from the leading management coach about changing adult behavior.

So, what are a few of the books on your Summer Reading List? Send me a note to emasie@masie.com

3. 90 Sessions in Development: In addition to keynotes by Steve Wozniak, Sal Khan, Beverly Kaye, Jennifer Golbeck, Karl Kapp and more, there will be over 150 learning sessions and activities at Learning 2015 (Nov 1 to 4). Our design process is underway and over the coming weeks we will publish summaries of the content and conversations for the 1,600 learning colleagues coming to Learning 2015.

Here is a small sample of the sessions under development and design for Learning 2015:

- Enterprise-Wide Badging in Action!- Leadership Development: New Approaches.- Blended Learning at its Best: Video, Workshop & Gamified Assessment.- Fully Developed Performance Support Solutions: From Inception to Support.- Modernizing the Learning Organization: A Transformation Blueprint.- What Makes Good Gamification Great.- Designing Learning for All Screens.- Challenges for a New CLO: What Does it Take to be Successful?- Engaging the Executive Learner.- Aligning Learning Strategy to the Modern Workplace.- Flipped Classroom for the Enterprise.- Career Development for Millennials.- MOOC Update.- Learning Strategy & Video in 2015.- And Many, Many More….

The goal of the 30 Under 30 @ Learning 2015 Program is to provide support, visibility, voice and development for the next generation of Learning Leaders. We have been conducting the 30 Under 30 Program for six years and we are honored to have been a key element in the career development of almost 200 current and future learning leaders from major organizations around the world.

Each member of the 30 Under 30 program at Learning 2015 (Nov 1 to 4 at Walt Disney World, Orlando, Florida) will receive:

* A Major Discount to Learning 2015.* Participation in Mentoring Activities (From and With Senior Learning Leaders).* Key Roles at Learning 2015 as Leaders and Facilitators.* Learning and Development Activities.* Time with Elliott Masie & Keynote Speakers.

If you will be under the age of 30 on November 1, 2015, you may be eligible for the Learning 30 Under 30 Program.

1. The Instructor in the Digital Age? The classroom is not dead. In fact, we are seeing a slight rise in the total number of corporate classrooms. But, the pattern, duration and style of the classroom are changing - with the growth of digital learning. So, what are the changing skills of Instructors in the Digital Age? Here is a quick list of shifts The MASIE Center is observing:

* Less Lecture & More Experiences.* Increased Use of Skype/Video Short Segments from External Experts.* More Facilitation & Design of In-Classroom LABS & Experiments.* Decreased Use of PowerPoint as the Content Organizer.* More Grouping and Clustering of Learners in Small Groups by Expertise or Context.* More Capture of Class on Video for Replay, Delayed Viewing and Future Editing.* Role as a Curator of Content.* Introduction of Game Elements, Badging or Competition into Curriculum.* More Personalization of Content.* Increased Availability Digitally After Class for Support/Remediation.* More Diagnostic Assessment Used Before, During and After Program.* More Intense Time Management of Shorter Class Timeframes.

I am honored to be leading a Featured Workshop at Learning 2015 on “The Instructor in the Digital Age”. We will be demonstrating and exploring how to create or re-shape instructor skills and behaviors in the ever-blending world of learning. Details at: http://www.learning2015.com/index.php/item/instructors.html

2. Audio Wireless Commands for Video Lighting: There are two LED Video lights on tall tripods in my office, which are used for all of our Video or Skype sessions. While it is only a few steps from the desk to the tripods, I wanted to experiment with using audio commands to turn on and off the lights - just as I am starting or finishing a video session from my desk.

So, The MASIE Center LAB is experimenting with blending two technologies to provide audio-ready response:

* Belkin WeMo Remote Switches: We purchased a switch for about $50 that is wireless and app controlled. It uses the WeMo standard, which allows for remote digital control. I hooked the two LED lights into this switch - with their switches always set to ON. This gives me control from my smartphone, but I am just getting started.* Amazon Echo Audio Device: Using the Amazon Echo, I configured the device to find and accept the WeMo switch. This allows me to say: “Alexa, WeMo On!” and 1 second later it says thank you and both lights go on. Saying “Alexa, WeMo Off!” returns the room to normal lighting.There is also IFTTT functionality that I will explore next. This stands for “If This Then That” function. In other words, I can program the setup to look at my Calendar Schedule and trigger “lights on” when I have listed a video conference. And, in the same way, extinguish the lights at the end of the scheduled meeting, with a few minutes overtime built in.

This has been a fun experiment and now I have to get it working with my Apple Watch.

3. Low Cost Learning Retreats at Learning 2015: Here is a low cost way to bring together your learning colleagues from a distributed enterprise for a high engagement retreat and development experience:

Last year, we had 47 groups at Learning 2014. This year, we have already booked groups with as many as 51 learning colleagues who will gather at Learning 2015, often for the conference plus 1 or 2 days of additional time for an annual get-together.

- Discount for group participation at Learning 2015.- Low cost travel to Orlando from worldwide locations.- Reasonable hotel rates.- Free meeting space at Disney.- Time with Elliott Masie and other featured resources.- Ability to process and apply learnings and benchmarking to back-home realities.- Capacity to capture and distribute a video summary for other colleagues.- A high-energy and fun learning experience for your organization.

Our capacity for Learning Retreat Groups is limited. If you are interested in exploring a group, please contact cathy@masie.com for further details. Conference info and early registration at http://www.learning2015.com

1. Online Learning Simulation for Uber! As a continual traveler, I have become a user of Uber, Lyft and other innovative ride/taxi/limo providers. My smartphone app allows me to order a car, see where it is and do all my transactions online. Now, Uber has added a Driver Uber Simulation app for prospective drivers (and even customers) to try out.

2. Five Questions to Ask, Please! Help us “crowd-develop” Five GREAT questions to ask Chief Learning Officers and other learning leaders at Learning 2015. What are the 5 questions that I should ask several key CLOs from the main stage, as well as use for benchmarking conversations amongst our participants?

3. Personal Curation - Read Later App: We are all inundated with more and more content and possible learning material. As I have spoken with learning colleagues around the world, they are all seeking technologies or approaches that would allow learners to “tag” content - regardless of the device being used - for a “Read or View Later” list.

Recently, I have experimented with a few and one that intrigues me is called Pocket. It allows a user to easily tag and personally curate content that might be reviewed later - with their own personally created tags. Check it out at http://www.getpocket.com There are free and premium editions - and we can imagine that many other apps like this will surface that are enterprise or work related. For me, it has allowed me to tag and not forget cool stuff that I can’t or won’t access now.

4. SPECIAL NOTE: There are four more spaces available in the Gamification & Learning LAB that begins at The MASIE Center in Saratoga Springs next week on June 23rd. Details at http://www.masie.com

Each year, The MASIE Center conducts an open scan of Learning Directions and Shifts.

Can you please take 7 minutes to respond to our anonymous 2015 Learning Directions “Pulse” Survey, gathering global data on how organizations are shifting (or not shifting) their Learning Directions or approaches? Are we doing more/less/the same levels of webinars, classroom, eLearning, mobile, gamification, adaptive design, social learning and personalization of learning?

1. Thumb Scrolling Content?: Here is a bit of “homework” for TRENDS readers. Watch how your friends and colleagues move through content on their mobile phones over the next few days.

You will probably see “Thumb Scrolling” as they use swipes of their thumb in apps like Facebook and email to rapidly glance, scan and move forward through content and publications.

There is a shift in programming, with a tilt towards “Mobile First”, to embrace the rapid glance/scroll with a thumb (or even 2 thumbs) to rapidly scan large (and expanding) universes of content.

I am watching 3 people sitting on the train near me as I write this article, and each is scrolling through loads of Facebook pictures, posts and comments at a rate of 20 or more posts per minute. And, one of them used the same process to scroll through loads of email.

I do the same in many mobile apps: hyper-scrolling and rapidly selecting just a few for more in-depth content or clicking through.

It seems to work for social content, but I have some questions about the “thumb scroll” applied to deeper learning content items at the workplace. Do our learners get an overly superficial glance at content, or is it part of the personalization of the learning process? Is the learner the designer and thumb scrolls to just those items that are “hot” or “key”?

Looking at the usability data for “mobile first” sites reveals a significantly lower level of “click through”. In other words, users glance and scan - and rarely drill down deeper. Good news from a scan perspective; perhaps bad news from a retained and processed learning content perspective.

I would love to ask Learning TRENDS readers to observe and consider the shifts in how users navigate content on their mobile devices. Share some of your thoughts about how that might impact learning. Send me a note to emasie@masie.com I’ll share a summary of our content perspectives in 2 weeks.

2. “Hello Stay Interviews, Goodbye Talent Loss”: One of our featured keynoters at Learning 2015, Beverly Kaye, has just published an awesome book that addresses the opportunity to retain great talent through high levels of engagement with their managers. I would strongly recommend this book for Learning, Development and HR leaders. Check out “Hello Stay Interviews, Goodbye Talent Loss”, available at http://tinyurl.com/kkt4hlv.

3. Gamification & Learning LAB - 9 Spaces Open: Our second Gamification & Learning LAB has only 9 spaces available and will be held at the MASIE Center Learning LAB in Saratoga Springs, NY from June 23 to 25.

This is a very high engagement, drill-down look at how Gamification, Games, Engagement and Game Elements are being leveraged as part of workplace and customer learning in major organizations around the world. Led by Elliott Masie with video interviews of key Gamification resources, including Karl Kapp, this is a unique, vendor-neutral exploration of Gamification and Learning.

Our first LAB sold out with a waiting list, so please check it out at http://www.masie.com and register ASAP.

1. Learning Entrepreneur Killed in Amtrak Crash: Sadly, one of the Learning Entrepreneurs in our field was killed in the Amtrak Crash outside of Philadelphia on Tuesday night. Rachel Jacobs, the recently-hired chief executive officer of online training startup ApprenNet LLC, died on the train at the age of 39.

Jacobs, a Columbia Business School graduate, joined Philadelphia-based ApprenNet in March. The company produces Web-based educational video tools and markets them to customers including Wal-Mart Stores Inc., Kaplan Inc.’s Open College at Kaplan University, and Newark Public Schools in New Jersey.

A resident of New York, Jacobs commuted twice a week to Philadelphia and planned to move to the city after completing a round of financing for the company and expanding its seven-person staff. ApprenNet was founded in 2011. Jacobs, a native of a Detroit suburb, helped found Detroit Nation in 2009. The organization brings expatriate residents of the city together with current residents for mentorship and support.

Her path to ApprenNet included four years at McGraw-Hill Cos. From 2007 to 2009, she was a director of strategy and planning. From 2009 to 2011, she was a director of education services at McGraw-Hill education.

2. Video Segments vs. Video Programs: Learners and Producers are wanting to access, deploy, view or forward smaller segments of larger videos. For example, a company might have a 20 minute video program detailing all of the steps in setting up a key piece of equipment. Yet, learners might want to “mark” a much smaller segment - perhaps just the key content from 1 minute 20 seconds to 1 minute 59 seconds.

So, how do they do it? Some systems have a timecode for each video program - and the learner can then create a link to just that segment. For example, it might be something like name-of-program: View 01:20 Step 01:59.

As instructional producers, we need to prepare for more and more segmentation of larger video programs. This will require agility of our LMS, Video Systems and even our coding of internal links - that will start and stop as required. I am intrigued if learners could create their own smaller segments and forward the links on a personal basis.

3. Going to ATD in Florida? Let’s MeetUp! If you are planning on attending the ATD Conference next week in Florida, I’d love to meet up with colleagues. Send me an email to emasie@masie.com or stop by the Learning 2015 Booth #1030. I will be in Florida from Sunday afternoon through Wednesday afternoon.

I am so excited that I turn the young age of 65 today, May 13th. It puts me in the middle of my career and probably in the middle of my life.

I want to deeply thank my colleagues and friends from the world of learning. Over the past 40 years, you have supported and enabled me to stretch my thinking, advocate for innovation in our field and provide me with connection and feedback to learning in the workplaces of thousands of organizations.

I am grateful for what technology - when combined with creativity, design and collaboration - can accomplish. Every day, my inbox is filled with cool comments and thoughts from learning colleagues around the world.

I am excited to continue my exploration of the worlds of learning and technology.

On this birthday, I wanted to be the one to say Thank You! Thank you and let’s continue our exploration of the ever changing world of learning globally together.

1. Gamification & Learning Aha’s: The last three days have been an amazing learning opportunity for me on the evolving topic of Gamification and how it fits into the world of corporate learning. I hosted 46 learning leaders from around the world, including China, Brazil and Germany, for an intensive deep-dive into Gamification and Learning. The dialogues with the participants as well as connected collaborations with game developers, learning analysts, corporate learning experimenters and even the U.S. Dept. of Education evolved my thinking about the current and next step in Gamification adoption and evolution. Here are a few of those Elliott aha’s:

* Gamification is NOT a formula of how to add leaderboards, points, badges and a few characters to eLearning.* Gamification IS a spectrum of methods, ascetics, rules, engagement strategies and more - to add GAME Elements to a NON-GAME learning setting.* Game Design is NOT natively aligned with Instructional Designs. Rules bend, characters evolve and FAILURE is highly valued.* Gamification CAN be applied to each of these formats, with the right set of designs and Usability testing: - eLearning and Game Elements - Classroom and Game Elements - Webinars and Game Elements - Course Structures and Game Elements - OJT and Performance Support with Game Elements* Learning Personalization will impact Gamification even more deeply than expected. The learner/player will want to shift models in real time.* Gamification MAY NOT be the brand in the end. Participants were using “Engagement”, “Interactive”, “Simulations” and even “Company Challenges” instead.* Gamification REQUIRES that the designers and facilitators spend serious time as PLAYERS to engage.* Gamification CAN leverage older games – e.g. playing cards, Mad-Libs and sports models - as well as Video Game Metaphors.

It was one of the most high-energy 3-day sessions that I have ever facilitated thanks to the participants, resource people and the dynamic nature of the content. We are almost filled for the next section of our Gamification & Learning LAB to be held in Saratoga Springs, NY from June 23rd to 25th. Details and online registration at http://www.masie.com

If you are planning on attending, please register ASAP as the last class was fully booked with a waiting list.

2. Gamification Forum with Karl Kapp at Learning 2015: As a result of the field’s reaction, confusion and need for evidence-based research, yesterday we expanded our Learning 2015 program and are pleased to announce a new section: Gamification Forum. And, I am honored to announce a new Featured Keynoter at Learning 2015:

Karl Kapp is the author of several key books, including The Gamification of Learning and Instruction. He is the assistant director and faculty member at Bloomsburg University’s Institute for Interactive Technologies. And, Karl is an analyst that combines the worlds of corporate learning production with the evolving world of Games, Gamification and Engagement. He will be a Featured Keynoter at our General Sessions and will lead sessions and conversations in our Gamification & Learning Forum.

3. Lighting for Skype, Webinars & More: Read my lips - buy some photo lights for your Skype, Webinar and other video sessions! You can buy a photographer’s light on a tripod or a new LED light - for under $100 - and it will make your image, your video and even your age look much better. As we add video to so many of our interactions, lighting really matters. Another option that I have used in our Center is to add a lilt down lamp into the ceiling, aimed at my face when on video. Do it! You and your viewers will much be happier.

1. Design Help Please - 10 Minutes of Ideas! We are now deep into the Design Stage of building content and activities for Learning 2015 (Nov 1-4 in Orlando, FL).

I would love to get a wide range of ideas on Hot Topics, Content Formats and other elements that will contribute to our Design process for creating my 25th Annual Conference this year. Would you take 5 to 10 minutes to add a few ideas and rank a number of content formats?

2. 10,000 Retirees Daily, Impacts on Learning: Every day, approximately 10,000 people in their 60’s retire in the United States! This is a huge shift and set of challenges/opportunities for the Learning and Development field. We have been in dialogues with CLOs and our colleagues at AARP about the impact of retirement on corporate employers. Here are a few of the items on our radar screen about this level of potential retirement:

* Lack of Learning-Focused Exit: Many retirees are not embraced as knowledge holders by the organization as they approach their departure date. While they may go through a traditional “exit” interview by HR, that is usually a protective scan. Organizations need to think about ways of capturing, in a useful fashion, the overt and tacit knowledge that retirees have - before they depart. A good example might be to build an infographic of their key networks (internal and external) or their best short-cuts in business processes.* Career Impacts for Delayed Departures: While we have many retirees, there are also many folks who are choosing NOT to retire. They may not be able to afford it or it may not be part of their life plan to retire at this stage of their career. Their Non-Retirement can often have a disruptive effect on the generation of employees who are waiting for these senior positions to open up.* Shifting Scope, Roles and Skillsets: There is also a great opportunity for organizations to take a “next chapter” approach to these potential retirees. Many groups are offering shifts in roles, scope of responsibility and even timeframe. Some senior managers may want to become sole contributors. Some experienced employees may want to shift into 1/2 time or more coaching roles. And, others are ripe to go back into the education cycle to gain another set of skills.

The MASIE Center is taking a deep look at the role of Learning & Development for our maturing employees. This year at Learning 2015, we will have a major segment on the learning implications for the 50+ employee. I would love to hear from Learning TRENDS readers on their experiences and perspectives on this topic. Send me a note to emasie@masie.com

3. Two Language Content Requests Increase: More and more organizations are developing multi-language versions of content for a diverse and global employee base. In some instances, the content is flowing to multiple sites around the world where local employees require content in their native language. And, in the United States, a large number of employees have English as their second language and would love to have access to a second version of content in their native language.

We are seeing a desire for Two Language Content from these workforces. As we look at Learning Personalization, there is a framework where learners may want to have two cycles of content. For example, when I was in Beijing last year, many of the learning specialists were building content with 2 screens - Mandarin on one side and English on the other side. They reported that employees often wanted to take the content twice, in both languages, as a way of better understanding the content from a global perspective. Here in the United States, there are companies that have offered content to employees in English plus Spanish.

I am a son of an immigrant from Germany. I understood that my father could speak almost perfect English, but was a much better learner in German. Even in the 1950’s he would often want to read a new piece of content in both German and English. He shared that he felt “smarter” in German but also wanted to fully understand a new concept in English. So, a two language cycle was his solution. It also helped him improve his working and professional English mastery in the process. Interesting to see this approach resurface in 2015.

4. Assistant at MASIE Center - 6 Month Project: We are looking for a person to play a role as an Assistant at The MASIE Center. They would be working in Saratoga Springs, assisting on administrative roles with our team as we ramp up to Learning 2015. They will also have a chance to help out on a number of our Broadway/Theater projects. This is an ideal role for a relative or colleague who is a recent graduate or someone who wants a 6 month intense learning and work experience. Here is the job listing for anyone interested: http://tinyurl.com/orrmcvv

1. 1,600 Learning Colleagues to EPCOT for MASIE Celebration!2. Learner Maturity for Learning Modes.3. 12 TONY Nominations for An American in Paris.

1. 1,600 Learning Colleagues to EPCOT for MASIE Celebration! This year will be my 25th annual Learning event: Learning 2015! So, on Tuesday night, November 3rd, after our afternoon sessions, I will be taking 1,600 Learning Colleagues from around the world for a fun evening celebration at EPCOT, including their Wine & Food Festival, the Fireworks and an EPCOT-wide MASIE Learning Gamification Challenge.

2. Learner Maturity for Learning Modes: One of the most frequent questions that I am asked by corporate learning leaders concerns the “Maturity” levels of learners for self-management of learning activities. Clearly, some learners are ready and ripe to drive their own learning. Some are quite accustomed to organizational leadership on this issue. But, how do we measure or dialogue about Learner Maturity?

I use one of the models about maturity, such as Blanchard’s Situational Leadership, to consider:

* Maturity on the Learning Task.* Maturity on the Performance Target for the Learning Task.* Maturity on Self-Direction as a Learner.* Maturity with Current Learning Methods and Options.

Clearly, as the maturity is low, one might assume a higher level of corporate direction - at least at first - for the learner. And, as the maturity on one or all of these scales rises, our design can shift to Collaborative, Consultative or Self-Directive. We should add this conversation to our learning dialogues about a learner’s role in driving learning.

3. 12 TONY Nominations for An American in Paris. MASIE Productions is in 7th heaven today as one of our shows, An American in Paris, was nominated for 12 TONY Awards. This is an amazing experience and a deep honor for the cast, crew and producers. We have been involved in this show for several years and flew to Paris as it was previewed at the end of last year. The Broadway production combines dance, music, great acting and a compelling story of change following the end of World War II. The TONY Awards will be in June, but our team already won by the recognition of these nominations. Details at: http://www.anamericaninparisbroadway.com/

1. Elliott Masie at White House UpSkill Summit on Friday.2. Games for Learning Perspective.3. Steve Wozniak - The “WOZ” to Keynote Learning 2015.

1. Elliott Masie at White House UpSkill Summit on Friday: I am honored to be one of the facilitators at the White House UpSkill Summit this Friday.

On Friday, April 24th, several CLOs from our Learning CONSORTIUM and I will attend the White House Upskill Summit, joining 150 employers, labor leaders, foundations, non-profits, educators and tech innovators from across America who are answering the President’s call to action and equipping workers of all ages with the skills they need to advance into better-paying jobs. The White House will announce new commitments being made by public and private partners in response to a call to action launched by the President in January “to help workers of all ages earn a shot at better, higher-paying jobs, even if they don’t have a higher education.”

We will post a summary of the dialogues and UpSkill examples from key corporations on Learning TRENDS next week. It is exciting to have this key topic, of interest to our major employers, as the focus of this White House gathering and announcement.

2. Games for Learning Perspective: On Tuesday, I was at the US Dept. of Education Games for Learning Forum in New York City. 150 innovators in the worlds of education, gaming, gamification and learner engagement gathered for an intense dialogue. I had several “aha’s” during my conversations at the Games for Learning event:

- We need to extend the conversation about Games to also look at adding Engagement, Playful Learning, Simulation and Collaboration to our classrooms and digital learning environments.- There were key demonstrations of using an ongoing Game as a format for a multi-session, face-to-face event with challenges, badges and learner graphics as an alternative design strategy.- Research is emerging on how games, gamification and simulations can impact learners of multiple generations and learning styles.- A new set of standards for Learning Simulations are being developed with the US Dept. of Education. The MASIE Center will work on extending this standard to corporate users.

Steve Wozniak has been a Silicon Valley icon and philanthropist for more than thirty years. He has helped shape the computing industry with his design of Apple’s first line of products (the Apple I and II) and influenced the popular Macintosh. For his achievements at Apple, he was awarded the National Medal of Technology by the President of the United States in 1985, the highest honor bestowed on America’s leading innovators. In 2000, he was inducted into the Inventors Hall of Fame and was awarded the prestigious Heinz Award for Technology, The Economy and Employment for single-handedly designing the first personal computer and for then redirecting his lifelong passion for mathematics and electronics toward lighting the fires of excitement for education in grade school students and their teachers. He is Chief Scientist at Primary Data and is a published author with the release of his New York Times bestselling autobiography iWoz: From Computer Geek to Cult Icon in September 2006 by Norton Publishing. In 2014, he was awarded the Hoover Medal, a prestigious honor given for “outstanding extra-career services by engineers to humanity”, and was inducted into the IndustryWeek Manufacturing Hall of Fame.

We will have a deep, interactive interview with “Woz” on these key issues:

Learning 2015 will be the 25th Annual MASIE Learning Conference and we have created a new website for it that will include a weekly Design Blog to share engagement and design elements. Check it out and take advantage of the Early Registration Discounts at http://www.learning2015.com